Steve Smith isn't really Steve Smith...

[CatMan72]

From PFT:

As the team for which the original Steve Smith plays prepares to play the team for which the new Steve Smith plays, the original Steve Smith drops an interesting nugget.

In an interview with Michael Eisen of Giants.com, Carolina's Steve Smith predictably is asked questions about New York's Steve Smith.

"Actually my real name isn't Steve Smith," the player whose real name isn't Steve Smith said. "That is the name I go by -- that is the name by dad has and people called me that since I was a little boy. But my mom and my wife, all my family, call me by my birth name -- that is really what I go by outside of football."

But he wouldn't say what his real name is. "You have to talk to my mommy on that one," he said. "I only really give it to my friends; I don't give it to strangers. You learn that at a young age."

Per NFLPA records, Smith's first name is listed as "Stevonne." But his last name is listed as Smith.

It would be wild if his last name was actually "Ochocinco."

And thanks to the reader who pointed out the interview for us.

His name also isn't Steve Smith.

[Chaos]

:Yawn: This barely qualifies as news. But thanks for posting.

[CatMan72]

Just thought it was an interesting piece of trivial info...

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I wonder if his last name is really Urquelle‎?

[Sultan33g]

Peak Smith

[Tank]

Steve is a world class receiver and world class head case.

[Razzy]

Interesting. It's nothing new though, celebrities have always gone by aliases, especially actors.

Many actors and actresses go by screen names. It's partly for marketability, partly for protection. For instance, a lot of Jewish actors/actresses have anglicized their names to be more marketable. Ex: Jason Alexander, Jon Stewart, Brad Garrett, Jonah Hill, Winona Ryder and Natalie Portman, etc,

And do you really think Jackie Chan's name is Jackie Chan? Hahahaha.

[Squirrel]

Thought this was common knowledge?

[Sam Mills Fan]

If you've ever gone to 89's page on panthers.com or Wikipedia, you would know this immediately.

[Snake]

Thought this was common knowledge?

Has been ever since the announcers started calling him Steven Smith.

Still not everyone knows this so it good info.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Has been ever since the announcers started calling him Steven Smith.

Still not everyone knows this so it good info.

Is it actually pronounced like Steven though? Seems like it would be pronounced like Stev-AWN.

[KillerKat]

Is it actually pronounced like Steven though? Seems like it would be pronounced like Stev-AWN.

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Stevonne

Stev(like Steph, but with a "v")-on-ne

[Wither]

They just call him for what he is at home: a beast.